The Forbes article is optimistic, with the overall tone being that something can and will be done to Save. Us. All.

What is being done and likely will continue to be done is more of what got us into this mess in the first place: More debt.

Joanna, you're only broke because you like it that way. The whole deal of capitalism is, "Find a need and fill it." 20% unemployment means 80% employment which means that over a hundred million working people have disposable income. Lotsa folks need something done, so figure out what's needed...

I'm broke because I have a job that pays for crap and a lot of debt, and I'm focusing on paying that down before I make any changes. Although I do like how it puts everything into sharp focus -- I'm much more driven to work towards a personal goal that will pay off in the long run.

Wow... the "by country" chart is interesting... that *we* are on the little end is more than a little disturbing.

But you know, I wouldn't even have *that* much of a problem with a lot of this spending if it was going somewhere that would pay us back... if we knew Iraq would become a good trading partner, if all this "stimulus" BS was going to capital improvements that were actually *needed*, SBIR loans, R&D projects in energy and such.. it wouldn't be as efficient as free markets sure, but at least it wouldn't be an expensive mud pie...

*sigh*

I just want politicians who truly understand where the money comes from. I'll settle for that much these days.

Back when I had a job that didn't pay enough to suit me, I found ways to add to my billfold. For me, it was coins, guns and car repairs. Turned my hobbies into profit. Wound up netting more from those than from my day job.